11 September, Vilnius. The Seimas Ombudsman Dr Augustinas Normantas signed cooperation agreements with the deans of the Faculties of Law of Vilnius University and Mykolas Romeris University. The signed agreements provide for long-term cooperation between institutions in promoting and developing human rights, strengthening development of the law, reducing the gap between science and practice as well as supporting scientific, professional and cultural activities.

The Seimas Ombudsmen's Office together with the Faculties of Law of Vilnius University and Mykolas Romeris University will cooperate in developing joint projects, programmes, conferences, organising debates, and other scientific events, international and national researches and projects, publishing training, methodological materials on relevant legal issues.

Having signed the agreements of cooperation the Seimas Ombudsmen's Office will help to improve the quality of specialist training, and will enable students, graduate students and lecturers to conduct scientific research as well as to serve apprenticeship or to perform professional practice in the office; in addition it will provide materials necessary for the study process about the activities of the institution.

“Cooperation with universities is very important for our institution. With the help of the accumulated intellectual potential of the universities, we will on a regular basis organise joint events, develop educational activities and share our knowledge and expertise on human rights issues. We will invite students to visit our institution during the open days, will enable them to perform professional practice at the institution and contribute to preparation of summer schools. The staff of our office will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience from the scientists working at the universities and to make use of the latest scientific information sources available at the university libraries, which will help to raise awareness of human rights", said the Seimas Ombudsman Augustinas Normantas when signing the cooperation agreement.

Professor Dr Rima Ažubalytė, the Dean of the Law Faculty of Mykolas Romeris University and Dr Tomas Davulis, the Dean of the Law Faculty of Vilnius University also emphasised that they are looking forward to a live and efficient cooperation with the Seimas Ombudsmen's Office.